Bed frame connector

ABSTRACT

A novel connector for connecting a headboard to a bed frame which is capable of accommodating to different bolt hole locations and which is characterized by having offset bearing surfaces arranged to avoid a wobbly connection.

United States Patent Gunter [4 Sept. 18, 1973 1 BED FRAME CONNECTOR 2,745,116 5/1956 Jackson 5/131 [761 memo Kenneth Gunter, 3285 Dam, 5351215 5113??) fi'li;;;;.;:::....:::;..........::::::'y i

Highland Park, 111. 60035 OTHER PUBLICATIONS [22] Filed June 1971 Merit Industries Inc. of Brooklyn, N.Y., 23 Snyder [21] Appl. No.: 152,901 Ave., Catalog of Bed Furniture, Hardware.

Primary ExaminerBobby R. Gay [52] U.S. Cl. 5/304, 5/288 Assistant Examiner Andrew M. Calvert [51] Int. Cl A47c 19/00, A47c 23/00 Atmmey Dawson Tmon Fallon & Lungmus [58] Field of Search 5/288, 289, 294,

5/296 m 57 ABSTRACT [56] References Cited novel Icjorhnector figl connecting a hgatdboarddt rta fa bed rame w 16 1S capa e o accommo a mg 0 l eren UNITED STATES PATENTS bolt hole locations and which is characterized by hav- 3,644,948 2/1972 Fredman 5/296 ing offset bearing surfaces arranged to avoid a wobbly 3,349,414 10/1967 Gutner connection 2,845,636 8/1958 laguinta et al.. 2,784,421 3/1957 Fredman 5/131 4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures BED FRAME CONNECTOR BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF INVENTION Increasingly, only headboards are used in beds, which has resulted in the provision of a separate frame (sometimes referred to as a Hollywood" type of frame) in combination with a headboard. The absence of the footboard precludes the use of the usual connecting rails. With this type of arrangement, it is necessary to accommodate the connection between the bed frame and the headboard, since often these come from different sources and the bolt-receiving openings in the headboard may not be engineered for the specific bed frame. This had led to the employment of connector plates which are capable of an adjustable connection but which have suffered from being less than completely rigid and firm connections. In some instances these plates have led to a considerable degree of wobble of the headboard, loss of clamping power (particularly when the assembled bed and headboard is moved for cleaning), and other defects when installed.

The disadvantages of the prior art are avoided by the instant invention, which makes use of a uniquely contoured plate-like element having offset surfaces for bearing relation with the headboard and bed frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention is described in conjunction with an illustrative embodiment in the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a headboard connected to a bed frame with the inventive connectors;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of one of the connectors of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along the line 3-3 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the showing in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

In the illustration given in FIG. 1, the numeral designates generally a Hollywood style bed which is seen to include the usual box spring and mattress supported on a generally rectangular frame designated 11. The frame has a leg 12 at each corner, and the bottom end of each leg is equipped with a caster or roller 13. Connected to the frame 11 is a headboard generally designated 14, and the connection is achieved by means of the inventive connector element generally designated 15.

The connector 15 is essentially a plate-like element (see'FIG. 2) having a first portion, as at 16, arranged in abutting or bearing relation with the headboard 14. The headboard 14 is equipped with an opening 17 through which bolts 18 extend, clamping the element 15 to the headboard 14. The bolts 18 are secured as by nuts 19.

The element 15 has a second surface portion 20 (see FIG. 2) which is arranged in abutting or bearing relation with the bed frame 11. Again, bolts 21, in combination with nuts 22, are employed for securing the element 15 to the bed frame 11.

Referring now to FIG. 4, it will be seen that the first surface portion 16 which is adapted to abut the headboard 14 is equipped with a plurality of vertically aligned square openings 23. I find it advantageous to employ square-shanked bolts 18 and 21 (see FIG. 5),

the shank on the bolt 18 being indicated by the numeral 18a, for example.

I also find it advantageous to provide a plurality of horizontal rows of openings as at 24, 25, 26, and 27 in the second surface portion adapted to abut the bed frame. This permits the employment of two bolts in different rows so as to eliminate any moment or couple between the headboard 14 and the bed frame 11. Also, because of the provision of the plurality of rows 24-27 in the second surface portion 20 and the plurality of openings 23 in the vertical row of openings in the first surface portion 16, I insure that it is possible to mount the headboard 14 with its bottom off the ground (as at 1411), thereby facilitating shifting of the entire bed structure on the casters 13 without scraping or tending to dislodge the headboard 14. In some instances the headboard is thus necessarily raised a fraction of an inch in order to have the various openings aligned.

In the illustration given, it is advantageous to provide a surface extension 28 from the first surface portion 16 which bisects the second surface portion 20 to provide an advantageous reinforcement. Also, I provide a depression 29 in the first surface portion 16 which develops a reinforcing rib in alignment with the extension 28.

The entire element 15 is equipped with a perimetric flange generally designated 30 but which has points of transformation, as at 300, when passing from being in abutting relation with one portion to being in abutting relation to another portion. Thus, the part of the flange connected to the first portion 16 projects away from the headboard 14, while the part of the flange which is connected to the second portion 20 projects away from the bed frame 11. As can be appreciated from FIG. 5, the part 30b of the flange 30 abuts the headboard 14 and aids in stabilizing the connection between the headboard l4 and the bed frame 11. However, a dished construction is provided thereby as at 13, which constitutes a bolt head-receiving recess whereby the head of the bolt 21 does not project into the headboard 14 or abut the same so as to develop an undesirable wobble or other imperfect connection. By the same token, the part 300 of the perimetric flange 30 provides a protection or encircling wall about the head of the bolt 18.

It will be appreciated that the connector element 15 is capable for use where the headboard is narrower than the bed frame, i.e., the inverse of what is depicted in the drawing. Through the employment of the structure shown, I am able to provide a rugged, sturdy connector using I/ I 6 inch thick steel, which results in ease of installation, yet secure connection in use.

I claim:

1. In combination with a headboard member and a bed frame member, a novel connector therefor comprising a unitary plate-like element having a first surface portion abutting said headboard and a second surface portion abutting said frame with said surface portions being parallel to but offset from each other, said element having a substantially perimetric flange, the part of said flange connected to said first surface portion extending away from said headboard and the part of said flange connected to said second surface portion extending away from said bed frame, each portion being equipped with a plurality of square openings therein each adapted to receive a square shank bolt, the openings in said first surface portion being in a vertical row and those in said second surface portion being portion to separate said second portion into two parts, each of said parts having two horizontal rows of openings.

4. The structure of claim 3 in which said first surface portion is equipped with an elongated rib-forming depression aligned with said extension and interrupting said vertical row of openings. 

1. In combination with a headboard member and a bed frame member, a novel connector therefor comprising a unitary platelike element having a first surface portion abutting said headboard and a second surface portion abutting said frame with said surface portions being parallel to but offset from each other, said element having a substantially perimetric flange, the part of said flange connected to said first surface portion extending away from said headboard and the part of said flange connected to said second surface portion extending away from said bed frame, each portion being equipped with a plurality of square openings therein each adapted to receive a square shank bolt, the openings in said first surface portion being in a vertical row and those in said second surface portion being in a horizontal row, a square shank bolt for each portion extending through an opening thereof into the abutting element and secured thereto.
 2. The structure of claim 1 in which said second portion has a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal rows of openings.
 3. The structure of claim 2 in which said first surface portion is equipped with an elongated surface extension exteNding into and bisecting said second surface portion to separate said second portion into two parts, each of said parts having two horizontal rows of openings.
 4. The structure of claim 3 in which said first surface portion is equipped with an elongated rib-forming depression aligned with said extension and interrupting said vertical row of openings. 